Greek Salad

Mediterranean foods are some of my favorite foods. As much as I love all kinds of food, the Mediterranean diet is the one I follow most closely. It is a diet that is based on consuming lots of fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, olive oil, fish, chicken and lean meats. It also limits processed foods and sweets. I have been eating like this for most of my life. I love all of the differences between the foods from the different Mediterranean regions too. Right now, I am in a Greek frame of mind, with my Greek green beans Greek Green Beans and now my Greek salad.

Greek Salad

I created this deliciously healthy salad as another way to use up our gyro meat. I love gyros, but I wanted something different. Gyro meat is traditionally made from lamb or pork, but modern Greek-American versions often use a ground mixture of lamb and beef. It can also be made from other meats like chicken. The meat is typically seasoned and cooked on a vertical rotisserie, then shaved into thin slices to serve. We buy the Costco version, where all that is already done for us. 🙂

1 lb cooked gyro meat

2-3 cups fresh spinach, stems removed

2-3 tomatoes, diced or cut into wedges

1/2 cucumber, sliced very thin

1 can garbanzo beans or chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1/3 cup mixed olives, sliced

1/2 green bell pepper, diced

1/4 red onion, sliced very thin

1-2 pita slices, cut into triangles and fried

feta cheese, optional

Layer the salad over a bed of spinach.

Za’atar Vinaigrette

1/2 cup olive oil

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

1-2 tsp lemon olive oil, optional

1-2 tsp lemon vinegar, optional

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes, or to taste

1-2 tsp Harissa seasoning

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1-2 tsp garlic

1-2 tsp Za’atar seasoning

salt & fresh ground black pepper to taste

Whisk everything together well and let rest. Whish everything together once again right before serivng.

When ready to serve, top the salad with a Za’atar vinaigrette and feta cheese, if using. Add the fried pita chips all around. Enjoy! απολαμβάνω or apolamváno!

Have a great day and make everyday great. Stay safe and stay well. ‘Til next time.